a blog of original Buddhism

Life is Short and Fleeting

Long ago there was a spiritual teacher named Araka. He was wise and free of lust. He had many students. He taught: “The life of a person is short, miserable, and filled with problems. So a wise person will follow the holy life. After all, death is inevitable.

“Like a drop of dew on a blade of grass when the sun rises…
Like rain fat drop of rain falling from the sky…
Like a line drawn in the water with a stick…
Like a swift flowing mountain stream…
Like a dollop of spit on a man’s tongue…
Like a morsel of meat on a hot iron pan…
Like a cow lead to the slaughterhouse, each step closer to their death…

So too the life of a person is short, miserable, and filled with problems. So a wise person will follow the holy life. After all, death is inevitable.”

Here are roots of trees and empty huts. Meditate! Don’t be negligent! Don’t later be full of remorse! This is our teaching.